JESSICA CLARKE

Solid silver sea shell drop earrings by Una Wilde. Other jewellery, model's own. Blue silk and chiffon beaded top by Fendi

“Our body is a really intelligent machine – but it’s not just a machine. We've got a soul and a spirit. If you feed your body good water and nutrition, get good sleep and try not to put chemicals into it, it's pretty genius.”

Words by Tatiana Summers

Jessica Clarke at Storm Management photographed by Edwin S Freyer. Styled by Tasha Arguile. Make-up by Anna Inglis Hall at Stella Creative Artists using 111Skin. Hair by Terri Capon at Stella Creative Artists using L'Oréal Professionel. Social Media by Boram Lee Freyer.

With an effortlessly cool demeanour, magnetic energy, and a striking depth of character, meet Jessica Clarke, the New Zealand model and entrepreneur determined to disrupt the wellness world from within.

Jessica’s journey — both personal and professional — has always been deeply tied to her roots. Her Māori heritage is more than just a part of her identity; it’s a foundation that shapes her values, perspectives, and ambitions. “It’s so hard to explain who you are at the core of your being. I mean, for me, it [being Māori] feels very natural to who I am,” she shares. This deep-rooted connection continues to guide her and ground her, no matter where she is or what she’s doing. 

Hoop earrings by Jennifer Fisher. Other jewellery, model's own. 'Devora' dress by Tove. 'Harley' sandals by Izie

Her own origin story took an unexpected turn at age 15 during a casual family trip to the movies. Scouted at the theatre in New Zealand by a modelling agency, Jessica was soon launched into the fashion world, landing an exclusive with top fashion designer Calvin Klein. In 2011, she made history as the first New Zealander to walk the runway in the legendary Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Reflecting on that milestone, Jessica laughs, “I remember getting the Victoria's Secret show and my agency popped a bottle of champagne and celebrated. I was like, ‘Why? I get jobs all the time. Why is this one so special?’ I just didn’t realise at the time.” She adds, “It was really amazing to be able to do that at such a young age. It pretty much changed my career overnight.”

Despite the whirlwind of success, Jessica has always returned to her Māori roots for purpose, strength, and guidance. It’s this deep connection to her heritage, combined with an upbringing in the fashion world, that laid the groundwork for Jessica’s next chapter as a businesswoman. “I grew up with natural remedies, and that's where the first seed was planted,” she says. As she navigated the modelling industry, her passion evolved. “[In] modelling, health and wellness are inherently a part of our business — to look good and feel good. That's part of our job. So, weirdly, we’re kind of the best guinea pigs because we’ve pretty much tried it all.” 

Jewellery, model's own. Wool jacket and cotton boxy shirt, both by AMI Paris

That unique background gave Jessica a profound understanding of wellness, and ultimately led to the creation of Mother Made, the mushroom supplement brand she co-founded with close friend Emily Blanchett in 2021.

Jessica’s deep-rooted cultural values are woven into every aspect of the brand. “There's a word [in] Māori called ‘Kaitiaki.’ ‘Kaitiaki’ means you're the guardians of the land, the resources, and so on. For me, in business, it's about being the guardian of our lands, and being the guardian of the mushroom.” Staying true to that philosophy, Mother Made offers a natural and effective way to support the mind and body using mushrooms. The brand is committed to sustainability — 100 per cent pure mushrooms, free from additives and fillers, ethically sourced and sustainably packaged – infusing ‘Kaitiaki’ into every step of the process. 

A constant driving force, Jessica spends her time researching new ways to innovate her brand in order to build a better legacy of care, community, and environmental responsibility. “I've been really looking into different horticultural practices at the moment. There's a lot of innovation going on in that world, like vertical farming, soil regeneration and circular farming,” she explains. Surrounding herself with like-minded friends and family, she finds inspiration in shared conversations. Citing her good friend Arizona Muse as one such influence, she says, “Arizona Muse is a passionate environmental activist and the founder of the charity DIRT, which is dedicated to transforming the fashion industry by supporting biodynamic farming and regenerative agriculture to restore soil health.”

Jewellery, model's own. Silver, strapless loose fit top and trousers by Nanushka. Leather 'Aviary' heels by Studios Amelia

While she’s never denied her love for fashion and beauty, Jessica places deep value on simplicity, transparency, and authenticity — both in her character and career. Beginning her modelling journey in a pre-social media era, she’s learned to adapt to a world where digital presence plays a pivotal role. As a brand founder and public figure, Jessica embraces social media’s potential to elevate emerging businesses and creatives, while acknowledging its challenges. “I think people need to really evaluate the source of their information,” she cautions. “Nowadays, people are getting their news and their information from influencers [who] are making money off of it and haven't done the right research.” 

Determined to promote truth in an industry often driven by illusion, Jessica ensures Mother Made remains transparent from start to finish. The brand offers a straightforward, honest approach to wellness — with each product delivering a moment of calm and clarity amid the chaos of modern life. “I find it so interesting that this natural supplement helps us cope with our modern-day lives, because it's just so much faster.” 

Jessica’s belief in herself, her knowledge, and her products is unwavering — and it’s a mindset she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to adopt. “The businesses that really do succeed are the ones with incredible foundations and have a really good quality product. Produce something really worthwhile and that you believe in, so that it can hopefully go really far. There are a lot of PR agencies that can come up with a good story, but if you don't believe in it yourself, it's a long journey. There's ups and downs, and you really have to believe in your products.”

Drop earrings by Una Wilde. Other jewellery, model's own. Blue silk and chiffon beaded top, silk trousers and leather heels, all by Fendi

 For those looking to break into modelling, Jessica stresses the importance of a strong support system and a healthy approach to the industry. “You really need to have someone who believes in you and  the direction that you want to take. Getting a good agent [who] understands you and your strengths is super important to becoming a successful model,” she says, before adding: “Look after yourself too — not all models do, and it's really important if you want to have a long career.”

Jessica’s story is still unfolding. On a mission to “make mushrooms mainstream,” she hopes to bring Mother Made to New York City, following its recent debut in the United Kingdom. As she continues to grow her brand and inspire others, Jessica Clarke stands out as one of the most stylish and soulful creators in the wellness industry — harnessing her Māori heritage to shape the future of health and wellness, one mushroom at a time.

Discover the full editorial inside The Issues Issue 14. Purchase your copy here.